Lock-out telephone system.



NI E; NOR$TROM. LOCK-OUT TELEPHONE SYETEMI. APLIOATI01TFILBD Jun 6, 1910. I g I Patented Aug. 22, 191-1;

2 SHBETS- SHEBT 1.

Uiv r sans! NILS EMEL nonsraoivr, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOCK-OUT TELEPHONE SYSTEM.-

Specification of Letter's'Patent. Patented Aug. 22, 1911.

Application filed Junc 6, 1910. Serial No. 565,254.

To all whom it may concern: Be it'known that I, XILs EMEL Konsrnoni, a citizen-of the United States. residing at Chicago, in the county of Cool; ant State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lock-Out Telephone Systems, of which the followingis a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in lock-out telephone systems, 'and 'has for its general object toprovide a simple and efficient system of the character described.

Many special ob ects are attained in the 'emh' "liment of my invention. and will become apparent from the. following description, but one of the salient objects of the invention is to provide mechanism whereby in calling a desired party upon a'party line, a positive disabling operation is automatically effected with respect to the apparatus of. each of the parties on that line, except the one desired, thereby toprevent any jp'art-y save the desired party from receiving the call, or from effecting an operative connection of his telephoneapparatus with the line until the disability is removed by the action of the central operator.

A further special objectof my invention is to. provide an arrangement whereby' it It substantially insured that the step-bystep apparatus, at the stations of the various "matic view of the'circuits and apparatus;

Fig 2 is a detail of a switch in one operative position} .Fig. 3' is a diagram of the circuits alone: and Figs. '4. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views showing the relation between the mechanical parts of the subscribers step-up device. I

Referring tothe drawings. 10 and 10.indicate the line wires of afn'ietallic party circuit, running intosuitable switch-board connections. generally indicated at I'Lthe line wires being connected to the switch arms. 12 and 12, ofa cutoff relay, 13, s i S i ch arms being normally connected with the contacts of the line relay, 14, connected with.

the central battery. 21, and controlling'the, line signal. 15. hen the cut-off relay, 13, is energized, the switch arms, 12 and 12, are moved to connect the line wires, 10 and 10', with the tip and sleeve contacts, 16 and'l6., of a jack; J, the test ring, 16", whereof is groundedv through the cut-off relay 13. It will be understood of course that the usual multiple jack arrangement is employed. v

-20 indicates-in general a centrahstation cord'circuit equipment, of any suitable ens-- vtomary form QXCGPtylIl the featuresof the ringing circuit connections. hereinafter referred to.- In such cord circuit arrangement, as shown 21 indicates acentral battery having one terminal grounded and bridged between the tip strand, 22, and sleeve strand,- 22', leading respectively to the tip and'sleeve of the answering and calling plugs, P and P.-

23 indicates the strand of the cordconnecting'the rings of the plugs and including the supervisory lamps,.24, thesupervisory relays. 25. which control thelamp shunts, 26, being included in the sleeve strand, 22?.

27 indicates, in general, a combinedring' ing and listening key, arranged'for operation at pleasure to cut in the operators set. 28, or on the other hand, to open the cord circuit and close switches 29 and 29, for bridging the "ringingcurrent generator across the tip and sleeve connections of the calling plug, P. Theanvils of the switches 29 and 29 connect with the ringing circuit wires. and 30--. extending to a suitable source of supply of alternating current. Specifically. ringing current is supplied to the wires 30 and 30 by a battery. 31, through the intermediary of, a pole. changer. 32, which normally operates continuously, the

operating magnet, 33, thereof being con nected in a suitably energized. circuit, 34, provided with a switch, 35, to be'hereinafter described, said switch bein'g normally closed, In general arrangement and construction, the parts thus far described are intended. to typify any suitable line. cordQcircuit, and

ringing arrangement. the particular form and arrangement of these devices shown being selected for simplicity and fullness of disclosure, and forming no part of my invention. I

At the central station, I provide in addition o the usualjcord. c r it and rmging arranged to operate in harmony with the step-by-step devices of the several subscribers stationsand governing the condition of various branches of what I will term the controlling circuit, distinct from the line circuit, and'serving to bring certain controlling instrumentalities at each subscribers station within the control of the central operator.

In the specific construction shown, 40 indicates in general a step-upv device at the central station comprising as its movingelement a .ratchet wheel, 41, carrying a wiper,,42, arranged to sweep over a bank polarized electromagnet, 46, and

ratchet carries a pin, 48. forreleas-ing a of contacts, 43. This contact bankhas at opposite ends elongated contacts, 43 and 43", and intermediate contacts, 43, in number equal to the maximum number of stations onthe party :line. Theratchet wheel is. arranged to be advanced by an active pawl, 44, carried by the armature, 45,'of a acted upon by a holding pawl,-47. The

latch, 49, which is provided with a nose, 49, arranged to receive'and retain under tension and in electricalconnection therewith a contact spring, 50, when the latter is depressed. The; latch 49 will-.hcid said spring in depressed position, in'electrical contact with the latch nose until the pin 48 strikes the latch and releases it after a' pre-' determineclvoperation of the ratchet wheel.

The latch 49 is electrically connected- 41. to the frame, and afrom a frame binding post, 51, connection is made by wire 52 with the ringing circuit wire, 30, the spring 50' having connection by. wire 54 with the op- .erating magnet 46, and thence by wire 55 to the second ringing circuit wire, 530. Thus, whenever the spring 50 is brotught. into electrical connection with the nose, 49, of

the latch 49, the polarized magnet 46 is bridged across the ringingcircuit to receive the alternating ringing circuit current. thereby. to vibrate its armature, 45, and through its 'pawl,-44, to advance theratchet wheel, For appropriately depressing the spring 50 into engagement with the latch 44 and to perform other functions. I provide an electronia'gnet, 57. the armature, 58, of

which, when attracted. serves todepress the spring 50 into its aforesaid electrical con nection with the latch, and at the same time through complementaryengaging parts, 59,

is also on the armature and the holding pawl 47. to withdraw said holding pawl from w gagement with the ratchet, 41. Also said armature 58 serves when in normal raised position to retain closed the switch 35, which governs the operating circuit of. the pole changer magnet, 33, so that when the armat ure 58 is attracted, said circuit is opened. This electr'omagnet, 57, is connected by wire 60 with the wire 55, and by wire 61, preferably including a small battery, 62, through key, 63, and wire 64, with the ringing cir- 63 is closed, a circuit is established from wire .60, 55, 30, 64, and the closed switch 63*, back to the battery, to energize the starting magnet, 57. 4

The starting key, '63. is provided with an additional switch, 63 ,-having one branch the opposite terminal of whichis grounded switch 63 having connectionin common, as 'atand 70 to the .two terminalcontacts, 43 and '43", of the step-up device. The

fully depressed it closes both the switches 63 and 63 and when released from lllflXl-f .nium depression returns to a mid-position in which switch 63 is open while switch 63" remains closed. v

Each of the contacts 43 of the step-up device has a connection, 71, including a normally closed selector switch 72 to the wire 67. each switch 72 preliminarily settable'-that is being capable of being set in open position by a se lectorkey, 73, before the call is transmitted. These selector keys, as will hereafter be shown, control the selection of-the desired vstation on the party line. makes its forward movement, during the first few steps its wiper, 42, remains in con- "nection with the elongated contact 43 so cuit has 'anvenergized ground connection through the wire 52. frame, spring 41, and connections-43", 70?, 7O. 63". 67. battery 6Q, 69, ground, and thereafter between the em tremes of eiery advancing step, the wiper arm '42 makes connection with one of the contacts of series 43 to effecta similar energiz'ed connection by path 52. frame,.42, 43, 71, 72, 67 battery- 6'8. 69, ground. unless the switch 72 in such possible connec ator. It may here be observed that. in passing over contacts-43, the wiper 42 dwells. between steps, out of engagement .with the contacts. Thus. in general, the, station apparatus provides in connection with the ringing circuit, means whereby the operation may be started. by impressing a definite a normally'open switch, 63*,ofa starting cuit wire, 30. Thus, whenever the switch,

,connected. as by wire 67, with a battery 68..

as at 69, the remaining wire, 70, from said starting key, 63, is so constructed thatwhen Obviously, when the step-up device that the sleeve side. 30, f-the ringing cirthebattery 62, by wire 61, electromagnet 57,

tion be opened by the action of the opermagnumpolarity uponthe ringing circuit to occadevice over slon all polarized instruments and thecondensers associated'with the ringing circuit 'to receive a definite charge, thereby to incentral station, the first few steps maintaining an energized' ground. connection with one side of the ringing circuit, and each step thereafter momentarily efiecting such a connection, there being provided means '(in the form of the keys Z73) whereby the central operator vmay prevent the establishment of such energized ground connectlon upon the movement of the step-up ries 43, 1

At each subscriber s station, I provide the usual snbscribers instruments, to? wit, the

talking setand ringer, and-a polarized operating relay for connection acr'oss the me-- talllc ringing or talking circuit, and-I -pro-.

vide cont-rolling devices including a relay,

capable of ground connection .with the appropriate side of the line, for actuation by current .supply from the grounded central" battery, 68, or the grounded-talking-circuit battery, 21,. as the case may be. Specifically,

. the station apparatus which I employ includes'a polarized relay, 80, the'armature,

81-, of which operates the step-up pawl, 82,. s for the step-by-step ratchet wheel, 83, which may operate harmoniously with the step-bystep device, 41, at the central station. A retaining pawl, 85, is provided for the ratchet wheel 88, controlled as to its release by the armature,87, of a controlling magnet, 86, said holding paw-l being preferably mounted upon said armature so that when the armature is moved to fullv retracted position the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet. In order that the releasing operation of the pawl 85 maybe timed by the ratchet itself, I provide an armature latch, 88,.shown as a pivoted bell-crank lever, normally raised by a pin, 89, on the ratchet wheel 83, to position out of engagement with thearma-ture 87, and adapted to be raised again byja pin 89 intofsuch disengaging position after a predetermined excursion of 1 the ratchet wheel. -The latch'nose 88- is so disposed" that when the armature is lat-ched'forward thereby, the spring holding pawl 85 is 0 3-- 'era'tive'ly related to: the ratchet, yet the armature 87 is allowed a sufiic'ient "play, toward and from its magnet to performits mechanical controlling operations, hereafter I to'be described, according "as the magnet'is energized or deenergized, without interference by the latch,

The 'step-up wheel 83 is arranged't o-con trol a governor member, 90, which, according to its different positions, governs the any selected contact of the sd-.

ability of the apparatus at the particular station to receive a'call as a result of its cycle of operation, which is incident to every call made on the line, Specifically, the gov ernor 9O isshown asa pivoted latch having an a'rm,'91, provided witha pin, 91 coacting with-a cam rib, 93, upon the wheel 83. Normally, as shown in Fig.- 1, the pin 91" of the arm 91 is free from the cam 93, and thegovernor stands ina posit-ion determined by the engagement of a spring, 94, mounted upon it s'tail, with. a stop, 95. The cam rib '93 is so disposed that as the wheel advances through-an arbitrary series of preliminary steps, a cam port'ion,-93 of the rib, forces the controller down to what I may term its operativeplane; then through a succession of'steps, (equal to those made by the step-up device, 41, at the central station in sweeping contacts 43) the cam rib is concentric, as at 93 and then, beyond such concentric arc, it

has a. further outward deflection, 93?. sufiicient to depress the governor so as to bring a switch spring, 97, carried thereby, into contact with a stationary contact, 98, which, as hereafter describe is in the ringing circuit fAt a suitable position differentfor eachstation on the'line, the cam-rib has an opening, 93*, made therein, through which the pin 91 may pass if the controller 90 is left .free to rise-under the tension of its spring,

94, when said opening 93 registers with the pin 91%. The time in which such registry. of the pin with the opening occurs at such station harmonizes' or is in step with thetime at which the wiper 42 (if the central .sta-tion'step-up device registers with the con.- vtact of. the series 43, corresponding with that particular subscribers station on the party me; that is to say, on a ten party, line, party number seven has the notch 93" in the cam rib of his ratchet wheel come ,into registry withthe pin 91 when the con-.

centric arc of said rib has-moved forward seven steps with reference to the pin, and at which time, as will hereafter be more ;full v explained, the "central station stcp-up'device Will bring its wiper into connection with theseventhc'ontact of the series 43?.

1 In connection with the governor, I pro-' vide a detent for-flocking it'in lowered position,=o'r. p'ermittinglit to rise through its appropriate-aperture 93",. according to the condition of the electromagnet 86. Thus. I provide upon the-eXtremity of the governor lever" 90,. a ."latch hose, 90, and arrange for cotiperationtheiewith 'a' det-ent, 100, preferab ly carried by a spring constituting one of -'-.a spring-contact stand hereafter described, This detent 100 is arranged to latch the governor in loweredposition by its'j' spring. action, 'but is controlled by-th e armature 87, so that when the latter is fully; attracted or frozen, the detent- 100' is I moved to inoperative position, sot/hat it Calinot restrain the governor 90 against up ward movement, Specifically, the detent 100 is mounted'upon a contact spring, .101',back

- of which are arranged two other contact springs, 102 and 103, the three springs bemg normally *sep'arated, but arra'nged'to be an contact therewith only when the'arma-i brought into electrical union whenever the detent 100 is' engaged with and locks the -nose, 90, of the governor 90; Mechanically moving with but insulated from the spring 101, is a contact spring, 105, arranged to receive a laterally off-set and forwardly extending contact arm 87 ofthe armature.

ture is either frozen or latched by part 88,

said'spring, 105, normally closing connec-' tion with an anvil, 106, when the armature is fully retracted. ,Thus, when the governor v9 0 raised and armature87 is fully re-' 'tracted, the contact springsflstand in the relation shownin'Fig. 1, but whenthearmature- 87 is frozen, connection between springs 105 and 106 is opened, connection is established between springs 101, 102,-and 103, and'the. detent 100i's moved out of the path of thenose, 90 ofthe governor 90.

The talking. set of the subscriberis shown as comprising transmitter 110, the'receiver 111,-switch hook 112, and coil 113. The

talking circuit depends for its'closure upon thefclosure of switch 101 and 102, and the standingof the ratchet wheelin normal condition. Thus the talking circuit includes wire; 115, extending from wire 10 to the frame of the mechanism, with which are electrically connected various parts, including the wheel 83, a pin 117 on said wheel serving, when the ratchet is in normal position, to, make electric contact witha stop thereto, having connection by wire 120 with i the transmitter '110,-and the switch'hook 112 spring, 117 connected by 'wires 118 and 119 with the spring 101, the spring 102, next being connected by wire 121 direct to. the line wire 10. i

The ringing circuit is controlled by the switch 97-98, having connection by wire 122 to the bell or ringer, 123; which is connected by wire 124, through a condenser 125', to

wire 121v and thence to the line 10. The operating relay 80 has its coils bridged between the frame connection 116- and wire 124, so that it is bridged directly across the I line through the condenser 125. The conone side, as at 130, itsother terminal being connected by wires 131 and 132 with the subscribers key, 133, which when depressed makes a lower contactcQnneC-ting it with wire 134, tiedto wire 118.1 Thus, by depressing key 133, the subscriber may, if the ratchet wheel 83 is in normal position, es-

tablish a ground circuit, 130,131, 132,133, 117, frame, 116, and 115,

134, 135,- 118, 117', v to line wire 10, As a refinemeahwne 13o trolling magnet 86 has its coil grounded on -may' have therein a magnet, 136, the armaf ture of which carries a busy target, 137, arranged to show through acasing aperture,

137", when the armature is attracted. An

upper contact, 138, for said key 133'is connected by wire 139- with the anvil of a switch 140, the moving member of which is carried by the armature 81 of the operating magnet 80, so as to close every time the armature of the polarized relay makes an active or forward, stroke.- The wire 131 likewisehas-connection by wire 141 with the spring 105, and :the two outer springs, 103 and 106, are connected together, as at 142.-

' In general, i'txwill be observed that the magnet 86.

I will now describe the operation of the apparatus. 1 UaZZrLg-in..-Subscriber removes receiver .from switch hook and presses key 133. A

ground circuit for. the line relay 14 is established from the central grounded battery 21 through the linerelay 14, line 10. connec-i tion115, frame ratchet wheel, contact 117, spring 117, wires 118 and 135', magnet 136, switch "133, wires,- 132, 131, magnet 86, and wire 130, toground. The central battery current, through the high resistance line drop,is insufficient operatively to energize the magnet 86 or'magnet 136, but it ener gizes the line relay 14 sufliciently to cause the line signal .to operate in the usual manner. :Now, when the operator plugs in, the I line relay 14 iscut .05 in usual fashion,'and the central battery supplies current to the line 10 through only the-resistance of thecord circuit, which sufiicie'ntly increases the current supply to the line so that the magnet 86 is energized, and attracts its armature, as doesalso the magnet 136. \Vhen the armature 87 is attracted, the switch 133 is shunted through the connection 141,105, 87 to the frame, so that when .the key 133 is released by the subscriber as soon ashe hears the voice of the 'centraloperator, the

operating magnet 86 is maintained' energized, thereby to hold closed the contacts 101 and 102, through which the talking circuit heretoforedescribed, is established, Now, as long as the plug remains in the jack, this condition maintains, and the calling subscriber may-talk or listen. Should any other subscriber, however,'eiideavor to get the line, the closing of his switch, 133,

would divert part of the central battery current, 'to the parallel ground connections 1 at his station thus established,- causing magnet 136 to attract its armature :to dlsplay the busy target imniedlately, but the mag- -35 depresses or sets the seventh key, 73, which net 86 is such that this partial current" tain the armature 87 frozen.

, It will be observed that the step-upap paratus of the, calling subscriber is not'advan'ced from its normal position by reason of the ingolng call, so that the closure of the talking circuit at the station of the calling subscriber is dependent solely upon themaintenance ofthe armature 87 in attracted pos1t1on.' Therefore, it will be seen that as soon as a call is'completed andthe .central operator removes the plug from-the jack,

the movement of'the contact springs 12'.12

,of'the cut out relay-13 from the line-closing position to normal position, momen tarily disconnecting thesubscribers station vfrom any source of current supply,*breaks the circuit for the operating magnet 86, allowing the armature 87 to become retracted, and thusrreturning all parts to" normal con' 'dition;

- CaZZing-outrl/Vhen, the central operator calls out upon a party line to get, let us say, subscriber at'station number seven on the line, the operation of the system is as follows First the central operator plugs in with the calling plug, P.- This produces no effect at any station on the line. Then she locks in depressed position, opening the connection between the grounded operating ba'ttery, 68, and the seventh contact of the series 43, for the central station step-up device, 40. Then she depresses the starting key, 63, and throws the ringing key, 27, tot-lie ringing side. The full depression of the starting lrey, 63, results in the breaking of the circuit of the pole-changer magnet, 33, and prepares the central station step-up device, and the step-up devices at all of the subscribers stations on the connected line for operation.

Specifically, the full depression of thestart:

ing key, 63, closing switches, 63 'and 63 establishes for-the magnet 57- the following circuit 62, 57, 60, 55, 30, 64, 63 61, so caus ing magnet 57 to attract its. armature, which I depresses contact spring into latching en gagement and electrical connection with the latch 49 ofvv the central station step-up device,pulling out the holdingv pawl from engageinent with the ratchet wheeletl to per- 7 mitfthe returri'of the ratchet to normal position from the terminal advanced position which may previously have occupied, and

- 1 opening the switch 35. The opening of the I switch 35, breaks" the circuit of the pole changer magnet, 33,-SO thaiZTiZhQ pole changer stands j quiet in the indicated in V t of the connected subscriber does not destroy his connec-v tion, as but little current is needed to main-' Fig. l, impressing upon the ringing circuit.

. the polarizedoperating relays, 81, are definitely brought to position to retract their operating pawls, 82, When the startingkey, 63, has thus been held depressed for-a moment, it is released and returns to mid position (shown in Fig.2) in which it retains closed the-switch 63 and opens the switch 63*.

This opens the circuit for magnet 57 heretofore described, permitting the armature 58 .to .rise, so that'the holding pawl 47 is brought to operating position, the spring 50 is left engaged under the latch nose-49 and switch is closed. The closure of switch 35 conditions the automatic pole changer for operation and it immediately begins vibration to, send out impulses over the ringing circuit from the battery 21. Such alternating 'impulses'act upon the polarized. relays 46 and 80 at the. central station, and the subscribers stations respectively causing them to operate in harmony. Theci'rcuit for the operating magnet 46 is established as follows: Battery 31, pole changer contacts, 80, 52, 51,49,493 50,54, ,rnagnet46, 55, so, back through the pole changer contacts to bat-- tery. The parallel connections of the mag nets 80 at all suscribers stations extend from the ringing circuit wires 30, ringing switch 29, 22, plug sleeve, contact 16, wire 10, connections 115, 116, magnet 80, wire 124,, condenser 1525, wires 121 and 10,- tip contact '16, and its appropriate plug contact, tip

strand 22, switch 29,iback to wire 30. The,

armatures' of magnets 4:6 and 80 are ar-- ranged'to operate'oppositely, however, making their advance movements on opposite phasesof the current, sothat the step-up device. 83 attains and is dwelling in a step position. when the ratchet 4,3 sweeps its wiper 42 over the contact- 43 corresponding with that position. y a i l T'Vi'th the first forward step. of the armature 81- of the operating magnet 80, at each -subscribers station, an energized circuit for the operating magnet. 86 is closed as follows: ground,69, 68, 67, 63 70, s, 41, 51,52,303 29', 1e, 10/, 115,- 116,- 140, 139, 138, 133, 132,-131,1nagnet so,

130, ground. Thus at each subscribers station'on the party line, the armature 87 is at-v tracted by its magnet, 86, throwing the ratchet-holding pawl 85 to operative position where it is' immediately latched by the part 88, as the pin 89 .on the first step may move to latclrrelezising position, so that the [latch nose 88' drops back of theattracted armature 87. The armature 87' will obviously remain fully attracted as longas the groundv circuit above vdescribed is mainained, and this circu t ismaintained idur ng .the; several steps that wiper arm 42 is on and be latched by detent 100 on said spring 101.

Now, on one phase of an impulse, ratchet 83 steps forward to bring the notch 93* in-the cam rib'93, at station of party number 1 in registerv with the pin 91 of the controller 90, and on the other phase of the. same im pulse, ratchet 41 at the central station steps forward to sweep Wiper 42, over the first contact of-series' 43". Switch 72 connected with this first contact 43 being closed, the'energized circuit for magnet 86 is closed by the path'130, magnet 86, 131,- 141, 142, 105, ar-

mature 87, frame, 116, 115, line 10, sleeve strand 22, 30, 52, 41, 42, 43 (first contact), 71, 72 (first switch), 67, battery,- 68, 69, ground. Thus, ateach station, magnet 86 fully attracts its armature,- releasing detent 100 from controllerlatch nose 90 and so all of the controllers are freed to rise. At station No. 1", the controller 90-, thus freed, springs upward, and its pin 91 passes through the registering opening 93? in the cam rib 93, but. at all other stations, the cam rib" being solid at the position in register with. the pin 9 1,"the governors at such other stations remain depressed.

The springing of the governor 90' to raised position at station No. 1 disables said station to receive a call, as will-hereafter become apparent, as from this point on,[the pin 91 at station No. lqtravels on the inside of the cam rib 93, and the governor cannot be depressed to position to be latched by the detent1'00, which operation isv necessary, as will hereafter become apparent, to the'completion of a call at the desired station.

At each forward step until the seventh, the operation last described is repeated-with respect to the governors at the successive stat-ions, until the seventh station is reached,

when the magnet is deenergized by the resting-of the wiper 43 between the sixth and seventh-contacts of series 43, the armature 87 of the operating magnet 86 of course standing back against its stop 88,and the detent 100accordingly engaging the nose 90 of the governor. Thus, when the. ratchet 83 steps forward to bring notch 93 opposite the pin 91*, the 'pin cannot escape therethrough unless the detent "is removed from the governor nose. Now, the wiper 42 sweeps over the seventh contactof 43, but

the seventh switch 72, having been opened v by the operator, no circuit is established for the magnet i86, and consequentlythe armature is not. attracted and the detent 100 is not removed from the. latch nose of any governor. Then the ratchets at all the stations step forward to eighth position, and

ratchet is in normal position and that the.

the solid portion of the cam r b of theratchet at station No. 7 again confronts the pin 91 so that when the ground circuit for magnet-.86 is again made onthe eighth contact of series-43, only the governor at stas tion No. 8 is disabled, the governor at sta- -tion No. 7 having passed without the disabling operation the only point at which it can be disabled.

When. the tenth contact has been passed, all of the stations except station No. .7 have hadtheir governors disabled, and at the cen: tral station wiper 42 comes to rest upon the terminal contact-43 thereby finally energizing all of the relays 86 atthe several stations. The tooth arrangement of the ratchet 83' at each subscribers station enables it to advance a few steps farther, so that the cam portion 93 gives an extra depression to the governor 90 at station No. 7 (the onlygovernor that then remains on the outside of the cam), so causing spring 97 to contact with contact 98 and bridging the ringer-123 across the line 10-10 through the connec-' tions 121, 125, ringer 123, 122, 98, 97, frame, 115. .Thus, only the ringer at the station of the desired subscriber is actuated by the continued application of the ringing current.

N ow, when the central operator has rung theparty sulhciently long, she releases the ringing key',=27. This "disconnects the source of alternating current supply from the line and also momentarily disconnects the centralbattery from the called line. .Accord-f ingly, no central station source of supply is 100 available to energize magnet 86,,and the holding latch, 88, having been lifted to disengaging position by the pin 8-9 the armature 87 at each station fallsback to fully retracted position, moving the holding pawl 85 to disengaging position, and freeing the ratchet 83 for return to normal or starting position. In this movement the ratchet at the called station will lead the others, as the cam action of part 93 acts to hasten the return of the ratchet at the said called station;

' \Vhen the armatures drop back to fully retracted position the springs 101, 102', and 103, of all of the stations except X0. 7 are opened, those at station X0. 7 being latched closed by the nose 90. At none of-the stations is the controlling magnet now capa- 'ble of being again energized. until the ratchet is turned to normal position. \Vhen s'uch return is completed, the apparatus atstation No. 7 only is "conditionedv for the energi-zation of the magnet 86, through a Circuit as follows: grounded line battery, 21, sleeve strand 22', line 10, 115, 110,117,117, 118, 11-9, 101,, .102, 103, 142. 100, 105. 111, 131, magnet 86, 130, ground. It will be observed-that this circuit includes connections 117 and 117, which are 111ade.o11ly' \vhe11 the said circuit includes also-switches m1, 102,

and 103, which are closed, under, the condi tlons assumednow to exist, only at'the sta- 5 the'armature of magnet 86 is attracted, and

will remain in frozen position as lorigas the central station connection is maintained. When it moves to frozenfposition, thearmature SVreleases the detent 100.from the governor nose QOQSo thatTthegovernor-'90 rises to its normal'position' shown in Fig. 1, there- I by restoring all'the operating parts con trolled by the ratchet 83 to normal-condition an leaving the 'circuitconnections' of the called subscriber closed only by the armature 87 which is free to return to fully re-- tr'ac'ted position as soon as the central connection isbroken. Now,when the called subscriber renioves his'receiver from the hook his "instrument set is bridged between the line wires through the connections 115, 116, 117, 117', 118, 119, 101, 102, 120, and 121. "When the subscriber completes his conversation and hangs up his I v receiver,ienerg izing the supervisory lamp in customary manner, the central operator d1 connects or clears out, thereby breaking the ground circuit for the magnet 86 which, be-' coming denergized, permits its. armature 3087 to fall back to fully retracted position,

so that absolute normal conditions are restored at the subscribers station. It will be obvious that mechanical release devices may be provided for central. station switches 63 and 73, releasing said switches when the plug returns to its seat on the table of the switch board, but such contrivances areuvell known and of obviousadaptability.

lVhile for sufiiciency of disclosure,l have fully described in considerable detail a particular embodiment ofmy invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes in the mechanical and electrical arrangement might be made'without e 5 departure from the spirit of my invention and withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: v I 1. In a lock out telephone system, a party line circuit; ateach subscribers station a subscribers instrument, a step-up device, means to disable the subscribers instrument when the step-up device is inap'pro 1 priate position; and at the central station automatic means to' actuate sald step-up de- V108 automatlcally to complete a cycle of operations, and'rneans to prei'ent the' dis abling operation at any selected station.

, 2. In a lock-out telephone system, the combination of a party line; at each subs'cribers station a subsoribers instrument and circuit controlling means therefor; and at the central station calling devices arranged nor-' mally to disable the circuit-controllingmeans at each subscribersstation on the party line,

- and preliminarily'set-table selective-means to thedisabling'operation at thestation ofany preve'ntthe disabling operation from affecting the circuit-controlling means at the station of any selected subscriber. tion No. 7. Consequently at station No. 7, f

3. In alock-out telephone system, the combination of}! party line; at each subscribers station 1i shbscribers instrument, a stepaip device, means timed by the step-up device to disable thesubscriber s instrument,"

and at the central station means for operating each step-up device through a full cycle of operations, and selective means, timed harmoniously with the subscribers step-up device for preventing the disabling operation at any selected subscribers station.

, 4. The combination with a party line cir- 'cuit of; at each subscribers' station'a talking set ringing means, and step-up devices,

arranged to permit disabling of said parts at a predetermined time in a cycle of operations, or at the c mpletion of a cycle of bperations to condit gn the ringer and talking set for functional peration, and at the central station, means for actuating the step-up device, and means timed in harmony with the Y step-up device normally tov permit or selectively to prevent. the disabling operation at"th,e time' when it'ma-y occur at the station of any selected subscriber.

5. The combination with a party line circui't of, at' each subscr'ibers st-atiorna sub; 9

6. The combination with a party line and central station connections, providing dis tinctoperating and controlling circuits, at

eachsubscribers station a subscribers instrument, astep-up device. operating means therefor in theoperating circuit, controlling means for enabling or disabling the sub- .scribersinstrument. to be conditioned for-- functional operation, timed by the step up device, a magnet governing sa d controlling mea'ns arranged in the controlling circuit; 2

and the central station, current supply means for therespensive device in the leper,- ating circuit and, current supply devices" for the magnet in the controlling circuit. ar-

ranged whereby the-governing de vicesflnor- 125.

mally permit the disabling operation, and v preliminary settable selective means force fecting said controllin'g circuit to prevent selected subscriber.

' In a party line-lock-out telephone system, a subscriber-s instrument, means at each subscribers station for operation from normal position througha complete cycle of operations and back to normal to condition the instrument for. functional operation, means at the central station automatically to cause, I such cyclic operation and means controllable from thecentral station normally to effect the disablingoperation upon the instrumentset during the cycle of operations of the step-up device, and selectively operable a0,

prevent such disabling operation with respect to the instrument of any desired sub-a scriber; I I

8. In a lock-outtelephone'system, at each subscribers station, an instrument, a stepuprdevlce, and a control11ng.magnet, a I

switch for conditioning the subscribers 1n-' strument for; functional operation, means for, locking said switchclosed, releasable by the armature of said controlling magnet, and- :timed as to capability for release by the stepup'device, and at the central station means automatically to actuatevthe step-up-device and settable means, operating normally to permit and selectively to prevent such release by the controlllng magnet armature during'the advancement of the step-up device.

In" a lock-out party line telephone system, at each station a subscribers instrument,a step-up device, a .switch for the subscribers instrument, av lock for said switch controlled as to time of release by the stepup device and disabling the subscriber's in strument when released, a controlling magnet having an armature for closing said switch and releasing the lock, having. circuit connections closed when said switch is locked, and at the central station, selective means controlling the energization of sald .magnet at .the time when the lock may be released, whereby unlocking of said switch disables the subscribers instrument and maintenance of the switch locked conditions thefsubscribefs instrument for operation and conditions the controlling magnet subsequently to effect a release of the lock upon including energization of the magnet through the circuit connection maintained closed by the locked. switch.

' 10. Ina lock-out party line telephone system, the combination of a line. a cord circuit ringing connections,- step-up means at each subscriber's station each responsive, to ringingv current, means selectively controlled from the central station and timed by the step-up device of the subscribers station for enabling or disabling the talking set for functional operation. and means whereby the step-up devices at all the subscribers stations are returned to normal.

positionupon disconnection of the ringing connection at the central station.

11. In a selective party line telephone system, a line circuit, a. cordcircuit, and ringing connections therefor, at each subscribers' station a step-up dev ce, a telephone set and controlling means cooper- ;ating' with the step-up device selectively operable fromthe central station toconditiona desired station totreceive a call,means Jwhereby upon disconnectlon. votfthe rlnging connections the step-up, devices ,at ail stations are returned to normal position and the controlling devices at all statlions except that selectively called are returned to normal position, and whereby upon disconnection of the cord circuit, the controlling device at said selected station is returned to normal condition. I I I 12. In afselective party line telephone system, a line, polarized operating devices connected therewith, a source of alternating current therefor, and means at the central station for impressing a preliminary charge of definite polarity upon the line before the commencement of the alternating'current impulses. I I

13. In a selective party line telephone system, a line, step-up devices at the sub-' scribers station, a step-up deviceat the central station, polarized magnets for operating said. step-up devices, a sourcefof alternating current supply therefor, means at the central station for impressing a preliminary charge of known polarity upon the circuit for said polarized magnet, before the com-' mencement of tIaIISI'IIISSIOII' of alternating impulses oversaidcircuit. I

H. In a selective party line telephone system, a line, subscribers station apparatus,

comprising polarized magnets, central station apparatuscomprising polarized magnets, a source of current supply and pole by current impulses, means for advancing f ,the step-up device, and central station means for transmitting the disabling impulse during the' dwells between steps of the step-up device atthe subscribers sta-' tionr 16. In a selective party line telephone system, the combination of a suitable line cord,

and ringing connections, at each 7 subscribers station a ste -u device instruv' v 1 mental 'in effecting the selected connection, .,centra1 stati0n devices fer Operation in the fselection; of the desired station, means Wh'eIeby "all step-11p devices are returned tc normal position when the ringing'circuitconnections arebroken, and Whereby allcirc'uitfconnections are restored to normal upon 0 clearing out operation, therebyfefiecting s ecmp lete'restoration Of thefapparatns at all snbsc'iibersstaticns to nOiIna'I incidental to 10 the ordinary ringing and clearing out operations .at the central station. V

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my handin the presence of two witnesses.

. Y NILS EMEL NORSTROM. 'Inthe. presence of WLVLINN'VALLEN,

,f MAnY Y.- ALLEN." 

